The New York Times: In between dispensing advice on breast-feeding and immunizations, doctors will tell parents to read aloud to their infants from birth, under a new policy that the American Academy of Pediatrics will announce on Tuesday.

With the increased recognition that an important part of brain development occurs within the first three years of a child’s life, and that reading to children enhances vocabulary and other important communication skills, the group, which represents 62,000 pediatricians across the country, is asking its members to become powerful advocates for reading aloud, every time a baby visits the doctor.

NOW any child under 5 can be a part of the Ferst Readers literacy program! READ FERST! subscribers will receive up to 60 books!

Through the Read Ferst! subscription program, children outside of our participating areas - anywhere in the US, in fact - can be a part of our exceptional literacy program with an impressive track record.

Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, friends can give a truly meaningful gift to that special child! Imagine your gift arriving by mail, addressed to the child, every month - for up to 5 years! And beyond that, it lays the foundation for a lifelong love of books and reading.